The Editor, Sir:

On Wednesday, November 15, Hospitality Jamaica published an article titled 'Dolphin Cove expands to Grand Cayman'. While the reporter expounded on the potential merits of the facility which would have 'a nature trail with birds, iguanas and other reptiles' what the reporter did not mention was the unwavering opposition within the Cayman Islands for the Dolphin Cove facility and the second proposed captive dolphin facility, which will be managed by Dolphin Discovery. Cayman residents have bumper stickers on their cars that read 'Keep Dolphins Free' and apart from the Caymanian Government, there are very few citizens who want to see the facilities in place.

At the recent Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association convention held in Grand Cayman, the Keep Dolphins Free in the Cayman Islands group spearheaded an exhibition that dealt with the problems associated with captive dolphin facilities, particularly those within the Caribbean.

Representatives from the Jamaica Environment Trust and the Antigua and Barbuda Independent Tourism Promotion Council were both part of the exhibit and provided relevant, regional examples of the problems associated with these facilities. Of the three call-in radio programmes we participated in, not one person called in support of the captive dolphin facilities.

It is very important that when reporting on a subject as controversial as captive dolphin facilities to present both sides of the argument. The 'magnificently forested' five-acre plot described in the article was denuded when JET visited the site and was situated right next to a cemetery. That was not reported.

What was also not reported was that the Cayman Government recently decided on a moratorium on captive dolphin facilities and only Dolphin Cove and Dolphin Discovery, which were grandfathered in, would be allowed. This decision was made, in part, due to the mounting pressure the Cayman Islands Government has been facing on this issue.

While no one argues that development is a good thing, it must occur sustainably and through the will of the people.

The expansion of Dolphin Cove into Grand Cayman is neither.

I am, etc.,

CHRISTINE O'SULLIVAN

Marine Mammal Specialist

Jamaica Environment Trust

11 Waterloo Road

Kingston 10